WNBL Life member returns to Bendigo
After winning back-to-back WNBL Championships with the Townsville Fire (2017-2018) and the Canberra Capitals (2018-2019), Kelly Wilson will return to Bendigo for the 2019/2020 Spirit Season. Wilson averaged 8 points, 4.5 rebounds, as well as, leading the league in assists, averaging 6.1 per contest and ranked 9th in steals per game with 1.4.
Bendigo Spirit Head Coach Tracy York could not be more pleased to add such an experienced player to the 2019/2020 Bendigo Spirit roster. Saying, “Signing Kelly is fantastic for myself as a Coach, the Spirit Team and importantly Bendigo Basketball and the Bendigo Community. She brings Championship winning experience, tremendous work ethic, leadership and mentoring for up and coming players.”
Kelly Wilson’s basketball resume is as impressive as it can get. From her first professional season in the WNBL, Wilson was named 2003 Rookie of the year and it did not stop from there. Kelly represented Australia in the 2013 FIBA Oceania Championships to secure the Opals a spot in the FIBA World Championships. She then proceeded to win back-to-back WNBL Championships with the Bendigo Spirit before heading to Townsville for two seasons and then to the Canberra Capitals for the most recent 2018/2019 WNBL season.
Kelly spoke with a sense of pride when asked what it feels like to return home to Bendigo, saying “I feel privileged to have the opportunity to return home to join the Bendigo Spirit. I am excited to be able to work with Tracy and the rest of the team for the upcoming WNBL season. I look forward to playing in front of my family, friends and the loyal Bendigo supporters in the new world class facilities that are on offer. The Spirit have a rich history in the WNBL and I am hopeful of helping the team have a successful season.”
Wilson is a household name here in Bendigo for more than just the WNBL. Winning the final SEABL Championship with the Bendigo Braves in 2018, while also taking home golden hands, All-SEABL First-Team and 2nd MVP runner up by 3 points. Kelly is well on track to attain a similar finish to the Champions IGA Braves Women’s NBL1 season, currently averaging 19.2 points, 6.8 rebounds and a league best 11.9 assists per game; while also leading the team to a 5-0 start to the season.
Kelly Wilson also sits 4th on the all-time games played list with 376, which will put her 18 games behind WNBL legend and new mother, Jess Bibby who played a staggering 394 games in her career.